I raise the issue of hedge cutting. I call on the Government to intervene urgently to ensure that the hedge cutting period is extended as soon as possible. I have received a number of calls from agri contractors and farming families who are very concerned. Because of the unprecedented rainfall, things are behind and that is the way it is. In the interests of safety, we should definitely prioritise this. The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland has proposed an extension to 17 March, which I feel is reasonable. It represents 1,200 contractors throughout this country. I am asking for the extension of the hedge cutting period to 17 March.

I will talk to the various Ministers. Every year, people look for an extension of deadlines that we already put in. There is a reason they are there, by the way. There are two sides to the story and we need to be conscious of the other side as well. For safety, it has to be done. I will talk to the Ministers to see what the actual position is and get the background to the situation.